Debaufre Ocean 1 project

[Charlie Mike]

I just bought one of these off PMWF for $235. This one is the "Classic" version. I have plans to mod it. First thing will be a sterile (Chinese) oyster bracelet with Glidelock clasp. Later will come a sterile milsub dial and maybe a ceramic bezel insert. I've been looking for sterile milsub autos online and the net is flooded with Chinese crap with questionable water resistance and non ETA movements. Finally I'll have a sterile Sub homage that's worth a damn.

 

[Shorttime]

I want to see it after you do a "wave" mod!

 

[lava_lamp]

Nice. That's a steal at $235, IMHO. How does it compare to the Rolex Sub you were rockin? I always read about DeBaufre/Steinhardt as one of the best subs for the money.

 

[bdmicarta]

Nice. That's a steal at $235, IMHO. How does it compare to the Rolex Sub you were rockin? I always read about DeBaufre/Steinhardt as one of the best subs for the money.

The biggest difference is that the original DeBaufre/Steinhart watches were 42mm while the standard Rolex sub is 40mm. I've been wearing the bigger Seikos for awhile and I've had a couple of DeBaufre/Steinhart watches. After those when I try on a Rolex sub it seems dainty to me.

DeBaufre and/or Steinhart later started producing 39mm watches which would be closer to the Rolex size. The OP wasn't specific as to which one he bought.

As for quality, I really liked my DeBaufre. I bought it because it was blue and I didn't want a watch that people would mistake for a Rolex, but the blue was so dark that it wasn't that much different from black. I later bought a DLC coated Steinhart, thinking that all black would not be mistaken for a stainless steel Rolex, and this one is now one of my favorites. Both of my watches were made well and ran well. Both companies started using ETA 2824 movements which are godo movements. I've read that Steinhart has had to switch to another brand of movement but I'm not sure about it.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Nice. That's a steal at $235, IMHO. How does it compare to the Rolex Sub you were rockin? I always read about DeBaufre/Steinhardt as one of the best subs for the money.

I'll let you know when it gets here.